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Space Topics: Space Imaging

Space Image Processing Tutorials

Planetary Society blogger Emily Lakdawalla has recently initiated a series of classes on how to process space images. The classes are being presented live as WebEx conferences and can be downloaded and reviewed as recordings any time. Online, web-based tutorials are also available.

The classes require you to install either GIMP (free, open-source image manipulation software) or Photoshop. GIMP is used for most in-class demonstrations, but the two software packages are very similar.

I. Images are Data
II. Getting Started with MER and Cassini Raw Image Data
Case A: Working with Mars Express VMC Images

I. Images Are Data (November 16, 2009)

WebEx recording (56 minutes): Stream - Download (56 MB)
Image files for working through examples: ZIP (59 kb)
PowerPoint presentation: ZIP (3.2 MB) You do not need to download this to view the WebEx recording -- I provide it for completeness' sake.

II. Getting Started with MER and Cassini Raw Images (November 19, 2009)

WebEx recording (139 minutes, of which ~15 is Q and A following class): Stream - Download (158 MB)
Image files for working through examples: ZIP (22 MB) You do not need to download this to follow the class -- they are provided to allow you to work through the examples on your own.
PowerPoint presentation: ZIP (12.3 MB) You do not need to download this to view the WebEx recording -- I provide it for completeness' sake.

Click to enlarge > Example VMC image Credit: ESA

Case A. Working with Mars Express VMC Images (November 19, 2009)

WebEx recording (34 minutes): Stream - Download (158 MB)
Example image file: See at right
The VMC website with many more images is here
PowerPoint presentation: PPT (2.3 MB) You do not need to download this to view the WebEx recording -- I provide it for completness' sake.
Processing VMC imagesis also discussed on this thread at unmannedspaceflight.com. Version 3 of Gordan Ugarkovic's vmc2rgb software is available in this post.

Future classes will give more detailed background on how space cameras work and will introduce the Planetary Data System.

Web Tutorials

If you have experience with processing space image data and would like to contribute a tutorial, please contact us.

Making Color Images

• Making RGB Color Images in Adobe Photoshop
• Making RGB Color Images in Adobe Photoshop Elements